A QUARTERLY e-MAGAZINE PRIMARY WING August - November (YEAR 2023-24) Issue: LVG-20/2nd Quarter/2023-24
PREFACE… “Joy & Woe are woven fine, A Clothing for the Soul divine; Under every grief & pine Runs a joy with silken twine.” - William Blake Stemming from the experiences of every learner who forms an integral part of our community, we at Lotus Valley International School, Gurugram, with a lot of joy in our hearts, bring to you yet another edition of our quarterly digital magazine, Different Strokes. This edition stands as a testament to the achievements of our learners, as the school proudly stands as a beacon of academic excellence, providing diverse platforms for our learners to explore their innate talents and potentials. Our success relies on a strong partnership with the learners and their parents. Embracing this commitment wholeheartedly, the magazine seeks to keep the parent community well-informed about the diverse initiatives and school activities, spanning across grades. It serves as a platform to recognise and appreciate the resolute dedication our learners display when it comes to actualising their goals, as the faculty and staff strive to provide a safe and brave space for their explorations. In their pursuit for excellence, it is our Director-Principal, Ms. Anita Malhotra, who stands as the guiding light with her unwavering support and encouragement. With the year drawing in, and the season of joy filling our hearts with warmth, it leaves one’s mind imprinted with memories of the year gone by. This annual quarter saw the school greens ooze with the spirit of celebration as we hosted ‘Yule Time’ after a gap of almost nine years. And since ’Tis the season to be jolly, we hope you find something that lifts your spirits as you flip through the pages, taking you back in time!
FRom ouR PAtRon… My dear learners, you must forge ahead with courage and conviction , and let the journey unfold, revealing the extraordinary chapters of your life waiting to be written. The management, faculty, mentors, and staff are devoted to nurturing such an environment where boundless opportunities await, creativity flourishes, intellect thrives, and individuality is celebrated. My dear students, you are the architects of your own destiny, and your aspirations are the compass guiding you towards your dreams. Life is not merely a chapter in a textbook but a canvas on which you can paint your aspirations with the brushstrokes of curiosity, hard work, and determination. Embrace the challenges, for they are the stepping stones to growth, and seize all opportunities that come your way, for they are the gateways to new horizons. With hopes for a bright future and a beautiful year ahead… Dear Esteemed Parents, Students, and Faculty, I am delighted to extend warm greetings to the Lotus Valley Family. As the patron, it has been my privilege to observe how the transformative force of encouragement, drawn from the achievements and potential of our community, has brought our dreams to fruition. Lotus Valley is privileged to have a cohesive unit of competent educators, talented students, and involved parents, who collectively, encompass a vibrant mosaic of ideas, talents, and passions. The nucleus of this progress is novelty, which propels a positive attitude towards change thereby facilitating the exploration of uncharted territories and nurturing of innovation. DR. SHAYAMA CHONA Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan Awardee
Greet both the shadows and the light, for within them, you find the essence of your journey. Lotus Valley International School is dedicated to igniting intellectual curiosity and fostering an educational environment beyond mere literacy. As a representative of our commitment to intellectual aspirations, I emphasize our role as architects of cognitive metamorphosis, molding minds for independent thought in a changing world. Our educational mandate involves instilling discerning faculties essential for sailing through the contradictions that life presents. At Lotus Valley, each dawn signifies a renaissance, an opportunity to rediscover the enchantment of learning. "It's not about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward," echoes through our corridors as we anticipate a year filled with enriching experiences. I wish to express my gratitude to the School Management and acknowledge their contributions to our positive learning community. In the pursuit of education aligned with advancements and globalization, we march forward with an unwavering commitment to moral values, aiming to nurture leaders who are academically adept and socially conscientious. With profound gratitude and anticipation for the forthcoming year, we embark on this odyssey of knowledge, character-building, and limitless possibilities at Lotus Valley International School. Happy New Year! Mrs ANITA MALHOTRA Delhi State & CBSE National Awardee PRInCIPAL … From THE DESK OF DIRECTOR -
WHAt’S In StoRE… ❖ AWARDS ❖ SPECTACULAR SPLENDOUR ❖ FESTIVE FERVOUR ❖ SOCIAL ENDEAVOURS ❖ CRUISING THE WORLD ❖ IN-SERVICE TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAMME ❖ BEYOND THE CLASSROOM ❖ SKILL EDUCATION CLUBS ❖ EXPLORING Bharat ❖ ACADEMICS ❖ ACCOLADES & ACHIEVEMENTS ❖ RENDEZVOUS ❖ NOTICE BOARD ❖ TRACK & FIELD ❖ YOUNG MINDS AT WORK ❖ FROM OUR MAILBOX ❖ MONTAGE: MEMORIES OF 2023 ❖ CREDITS
AWARDS
AVANTIKA RASHTRIYA AMRIT MAHOTSAV NATIONAL AWARD, 2023 Founder Director-Principal, Mrs. Anita Malhotra has been bestowed with the very prestigious ‘Avantika National Award’ 2023’ for her hard work and dedication in the field of Education at the ‘Avantika Rashtriya Amrit Mahotsav National Award, 2023’, held on 2nd December 2023 at Hindi Bhawan, New Delhi.
INDIA K-12 LEADERSHIP AWARD’23 Ma’am was honoured with the India K-12 Leadership Award’23 during Eldrok India K-12 Summit held on 29th November, 2023 at Hotel Vivanta, Dwarka. New Delhi.
EDUCATION EXCELLENCE CONCLAVE Top 20 Directors Award Ms. Anita Malhotra, Director-Principal, Lotus Valley International School, Gurugram, was recognized among the ‘Top 20 Directors Award’ in a Ceremony held on 16th September, 2023 at Crowne Plaza, Rohini, Delhi.
THE TOP SCHOOL EDUCATOR AWARD Principal Connect- Shaping Tomorrow Indian School Awards team in an event, “Principal Connect – Shaping Tomorrow”, felicitated Ms. Anita Malhotra with ‘The Top School Educator Award‘ in recognition of her Excellence in Holistic Teaching Practices at a Ceremony held on 19th September, 2023 at Masters’ Union – Auditorium, DLF Cyber Park, Gurgaon.
PARENTS CHOICE AWARD, 2023 CBSE Schools, Haryana Lotus Valley International School, Gurugram is delighted to be recognized for ‘Parents Choice Award, 2023’ in the CBSE category for schools in Haryana. This recognition, based on the highest number of votes secured, was bestowed by Education Today Magazine. We owe this success to the unwavering love and support of our dedicated parent community, who have once again demonstrated their invaluable partnership and steadfast support.
NORTH INDIA’S SCHOOL MERIT AWARDS Most Reputed School: CBSE Category Lotus Valley received the ‘Most Reputed School’, in Haryana (CBSE Category) during North India’s School Merit Awards felicitation ceremony held on 31st August, 2023 by Education Today
EFFECTIVE PRINCIPALS 2023 AWARD By Education Today Lotus Valley International School, Gurugram is proud of the fact that its Founder Director-Principal, Mrs. Anita Malhotra has been bestowed with Effective Principals 2023 Award for her exemplary traits of sincerity, dedication, devotion, contribution and hard work in the field of education by Education Today during the felicitation ceremony held on 31st August, 2023. Congratulations Ma’am and keep going!
UNIQUE CLASSROOM ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES CBSE Category- Education Today UNIQUE CLASSROOM ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES CBSE Category- Education Today It is an honour for us at Lotus Valley International School, Gurugram to be Ranked No. 1 for our ‘Unique Classroom Engagement Initiatives’ in Haryana in the CBSE category by Education Today. Hard work pays off! Congratulations to the School Management, staff, students and parents who made it happen!
EDUCATION WORLD INDIA School Rankings 2023-24 Awards Education World India School Rankings 2023-24 Awards were held on 13-14th October, 2023 at JW Marriott Hotel, New Delhi wherein Lotus Valley International School, Gurugram, was Ranked No. 3 in Gurugram, No. 9 in Delhi NCR and No. 15 in India. Yet another milestone in our 13 years journey of learning, growth and excellence…
OUTSTANDING EDUCATION LEADERSHIP AWARD Education Growth Network
FELICITATION CEREMONY-KAMP-NASTA National & State Level Achievers KAMP(Knowledge Assessment and Mapping Platform) -NASTA, NATIONAL & STATE LEVEL ACHIEVERSThree students marked a feat at National and State Level in the prestigious KAMP (Knowledge Assessment and Mapping Platform)2022 organised by CSIR-NIScPR under National Assessment of Scientific Temperament and Aptitude (NASTA). The achievers, Rachit Rustagi (Grade VI), Vidhi Vashisth (Grade IX)were commended as the National Winners and Jivitesh Verma(Grade VIII)was recognised as the State Topper. Achievers were felicitated by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State(U/C)for Science and Technology &Vice President CSIR, Sh Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy Ministry of Education.
SPECtACuLAR SPLEnDouR
YULE TIME 2023 The Winter Wonderland Extravaganza ‘A Carnival is not just about the rides and attractions, it’s about the energy and excitement that fills the air.’ The school celebrated 'Yule Time 2023: Winter Wonderland' on 9th December 2023. This festive Christmas Carnival transformed the school into a vibrant winter wonderland, complete with lively decorations and numerous attractions. Inaugurated by Ms. Jaspreet Kaur, Chairperson and Ms. Anita Malhotra, Director-Principal, the event featured dance performances, games, joyrides, and a variety of stalls offering food, crafts, and entertainment. The carnival, with its blend of fun activities, delicious food, and community spirit, was a huge success, fostering a sense of togetherness and the spirit of giving. It was a memorable celebration of the Christmas spirit, enjoyed by learners, staff, and the entire school community.
“At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.” - Jawaharlal Nehru Lotus Valley commemorated 76 years of Independence on Tuesday 15th August, 2023. The event served as a sincere tribute to the valiant freedom fighters of our nation and an embodiment of the unity that binds us as proud Indians. SOVEREIGN SYMPHONY Celebrating 76 Years of Independence: August 2023
PRABHAVNA Igniting Change for a Sustainable Future Lotus Valley International School, Gurugram, hosted a two-day InterSchool event, ‘PRABHAVNA: Igniting Change for a Sustainable Future’ on 13th and 14th October ,2023. The event provided a platform for schools in the Delhi-NCR region to collaborate and address global challenges while promoting sustainable development goals. The commitment and creative effervescence of young learners found expression through diverse competitions encompassing arts, science, and technology during the course of the event.
Sustainable Development Pursuits at Lotus Valley Grades Pre Nursery - III Activity: Trek Trash Grade Nursery "Sustainability is the key to our survival on this planet and will also determine success on all levels." Our school emphasizes educating learners about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations to tackle global challenges. Various activities are conducted across Grades Pre Nursery – III to deepen learners’ understanding of these goals. The learners of Grade Nursery took part in 'Trash Trek,' where they learned to distinguish between recyclable and non-recyclable items. Meanwhile, the Grade Prep learners were involved in creating posters and performing puppet shows. They focused on SDGs such as Zero Hunger and Life Below Water, while also practicing energy conservation. Grade I learners brainstormed innovative ideas on topics like Water Conservation and Ocean Preservation, contributing to environmental awareness. Likewise, the Grade II learners enhanced their understanding of SDGs 3, 12, and 14 through videos and poster creation. Grade III learners took part in the ‘Ocean Culinary Web’ activity, exploring the balance of ocean life and its challenges. These activities helped instill a sense of responsibility in learners, driving home the message that the SDGs are more than a global agenda; they're a unifying vision for a sustainable future.
Activity: Zero Hunger Grade-Prep Activity: Affordable and clean energy
Activity: Life below Water Puppet Show Activity: Does Earth Like Smog? Grade-Prep
Activity: Food for my Mood Grade I Activity: Save water save life Grade-Prep
Activity: Protecting our Oceans Activity: Bins to Beginnings Activity: Healthy Habits Grade I
Activity: Zero Hunger Grade I GradeII Activity: Life Below Water
Activity: Responsible Consumption and Production Grade-II Activity: Good Health and Well Being
Activity: Symbols of SDG Grade III
RUNATHON 2023 Celebrating National Unity and Diversity 'We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided' The ‘Runathon 2023 - Run for National Unity’, held on 31st October, celebrated National Unity Day, honouring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's contributions to India's unification. This day emphasizes national integration and the strength found in embracing India's diverse cultural fabric. The event at our school began with a choir performance, symbolizing peace and harmony. This was followed by a 'Unity Dance,' showcasing togetherness and social cohesion. Our Director Principal, Ms. Anita Malhotra, inaugurated the event, highlighting the importance of unity as a foundational element that unites us. Participants, including mentors, learners, and parents, pledged to uphold harmony and integrity and participated in a threekilometre run. The Runathon was a significant success, reinforcing the value of unison and diversity and celebrating Sardar Patel's legacy. It was an engaging and enjoyable reminder of the strength that unity brings to our nation.
PRATIBHA : GALLANT FOR TALENT Grades Pre Nursery - III ‘Genius is the gold in the mine; talent is the miner who works and brings it out’ – Lady Blessington Children are not things to be moulded, but are people to be unfolded. There is a star in every child, whose hidden talents need to be discovered, and nurturing the unique talents of its students is a crucial aspect of a school's role in fostering comprehensive development. With an aim to provide a platform for learners to delve into their extraordinary interests and exhibit their distinctive abilities without inhibitions, ‘Pratibha… Gallant for Talent’ was conducted from 25th -29th September 2023. The four-day fiesta, organized for the Pre-Primary and Primary Grades was not only a perfect opportunity to enhance communication and build social competence, but also enhance confidence and sharpen the abilities of our learners. What Nutrition is for a healthy body, creativity is for a healthy mind! In their exploration of talent, learners were stimulated by mindful activities such as dancing, reading, singing and speaking which provided them with opportunities for creativity while entertaining everybody. The celebration witnessed enthusiastic participation from our learners and was enlivened by unforgettable performances ranging from tuneful singing, exquisite dance to upbeat music, solving Rubrik’s cube, enthralling storytelling, enactments, aesthetically pleasing artwork, and science exploration also. Learners gained a sense of selfassurance on discovering their own strengths and felt proud to receive recognition and appreciation from their mentors and peers which was priceless. Their days of hard work and consistent practice were rewarded by E-Certificates with words of praise and admiration. This extraordinary journey of limitless possibilities came to a crescendo with joy of further contributing to the holistic development of the learners and corroborating that they keep shining in their pursuit of crafting excellence in their learning expedition.
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS Grades Pre Nursery- III “Independence is the open window through which pours the sunlight of the human spirit and dignity.” Lotus Valley International School Gurugram commemorated a significant moment in our nation's history by celebrating Independence Day on 15th August 2023. The event took place in the School Greens, evoking the indomitable spirit of patriotism. Our DirectorPrincipal, Ms. Anita Malhotra, led the ceremony by unfurling the tricolour flag. Faculty, learners, and parents came together to sing the National Anthem, paying tribute and showing respect to the Indian flag. Following the flag hoisting, Ms. Malhotra addressed the gathering, sharing her insightful, thought-provoking, and enlightening words. The event witnessed a vibrant cultural extravaganza, infused with patriotic fervour, especially evident in the performances by the school choir. The captivating yoga presentation and dazzling dance performances stirred feelings of love and reverence for our beautiful motherland. The celebration was truly memorable, effectively creating an atmosphere of patriotism, integrity, and harmony. Indeed, it was a day of joy, a day to love and respect our country, and to aspire towards making it a better place for Indians to live, experiencing freedom, peace, and unity in diversity.